Feds will ‘champion’ space, industry minister pledges
OTTAWA — The federal government will continue to “champion” the space industry and support its longterm global competitiveness, Industry Minister Christian Paradis said Wednesday, a week after a new report had opposition parties and industry leaders arguing that the Conservatives are not committed to the space program.
“Our government understands the challenges you face. The role you play. The jobs you create. The contribution you make. The future you are building,” Paradis said in a speech at an aerospace summit in Ottawa.
“We need to work together — on the aerospace as much as on the space side — to secure Canada’s success over the long term. We need to innovate, to increase our market access and to develop our global supply chain.”
Paradis was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Canadian Aerospace Summit in Ottawa, a two-day event where industry players discuss emerging trends and challenges, and how to work together in an era of major shifts in the global industry and fastevolving technologies.
A week ago, a report by former cabinet minister David Emerson highlighted a series of challenges facing the Canadian aerospace sector, and called for renewal — especially for the space program.
Canada’s space program has “foundered” over the last decade, with a lack of clear priorities, uneven performance and unpredictable funding, he said.
“This cannot continue,” Emerson said at the time. “Canada’s national interests demand that we make effective use of space to unlock wealth, secure our coastlines and borders, protect our population and environment and deliver services.”
“WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER — ON THE AEROSPACE AS MUCH AS ON THE SPACE SIDE.”
CHRISTIAN PARADIS
Emerson’s report urges a renewal of the aerospace industry. His arm’s length Aerospace Review, a two-volume repor t , made 25 recommendations to Paradis to help keep Canada’s space and aerospace sectors competitive.
The review shows that the Conservative government isn’t doing enough to support this sector, the New Democrats said in a statement after it was released.
At the time, Paradis said he looked forward to thoroughly examining the report’s recommendations.
Paradis said Wednesday that he and the Cabinet will give the report’s findings “the considerations they deserve.”
“Believe me when I tell you that this report is not going to sit on a shelf collecting dust,” he added.